The move of the JTF2 counter-terrorism unit from Ottawa to Trenton has fallen behind schedule and is expected to cost significantly more than planned because of problems with the design of the new installation.

The unit had planned to leave its Dwyer Hill facility after 2019 for a new installation at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, ON. The Conservative government had authorized $346 million for the building of the new JTF2 site and the move of the unit.

But the cost has grown and the move has been delayed, Department of National Defence officials privately confirm.

Rick Norlock, the Conservative MP for Northumberland Quinte West, also highlighted the delay during an interview several weeks ago on CJBQ, a Belleville radio station. “It’s now hugely more expensive than originally and that was bringing JTF2 in,” said Norlock, who is not running for re-election.

He didn’t have a timeframe for the move but noted that clear direction on the way forward is expected after the federal election in October. Norlock said the Conservatives still support the relocation of JTF2 and suggested the delays were the result of the ongoing battle to expropriate the land of local farmer Frank Meyers.

The 90-hectare farm, in the Meyers family for more than 200 years, was expropriated by the Conservative government in 2012.

But Department of National Defence sources say the delays and increased costs have nothing to do with the 87-year-old Meyers. Instead they are linked to issues with the design of the installation and discussions on how extensive the new facility should be, they added.

The DND declined to answer questions about how long the JTF2 move has been delayed. It also did not answer questions about how much more taxpayers will have to spend for the new counter-terrorism base.

“The initial indicative (cost) estimate was done in 2006,” noted an email sent to the Citizen by DND spokeswoman Ashley Lemire. “Since then, firming up a plan and design, looking at SOF (special operations forces) requirements, is not complete. There is no update at this point.”

The military has been talking about the need for a new base for JTF2 since 2005. Among the options considered was an expansion of the existing Ottawa site or moving the unit to CFB Petawawa.

In 2008, the Conservative government announced that JTF2 would be relocated to CFB Trenton.

But in 2014, DND officials told the Citizen the unit would remain at its Dwyer Hill location at least 2019.

In February, the Citizen reported that DND was looking to extend that for another year. It wanted to spend $17 million to hire a contractor to provide maintenance and support services for JTF2 at Dwyer Hill from 2017 to 2020.

Once JTF2 vacates its Dwyer Hill installation, the site will be offered up within DND and then to other federal departments. After that it could be offered to provincial and municipal governments. “If there is no interest at these levels, the property will be sold on the open market through an open and fair process,” DND spokeswoman Tina Crouse said in a previous interview.

The 80-hectare site is designed for counter-terrorism training and is equipped with a pool, firing ranges and a rappel tower.

An extensive decommissioning of the installation would be required before it could be sold to a company or individual, DND has noted.

The Dwyer Hill base, a former horse farm, was originally built for the RCMP’s counter-terrorism unit. It was taken over by DND in 1993 when JTF2 was created.

At Trenton, JTF2 would be located near another special forces unit, the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit. That unit deals with nuclear, biological and chemical incidents.

The other two units in the command, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and the special operations helicopter squadron, will stay at CFB Petawawa.

DND says moving JTF2 to Trenton will provide it with access to the military’s strategic transport planes, allowing for a rapid response to domestic or international incidents.

Trenton is also strategically located along Highway 401, allowing for rapid ground response to nearby major population and economic centres such as Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa, it added.

Since the base is also on Lake Ontario, JTF2 can conduct training such as scuba diving or small watercraft operation, military officers say.

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